Definition
难以启齿 is a fixed expression (成语/惯用语) meaning 'too embarrassing to speak about' or 'hard to bring up'. It is used when a topic involves shame, guilt, or deep awkwardness. The literal meaning is 'difficult to open one's mouth'.
f.e.
to find it hard to bring up (something embarrassing)to be too ashamed to speak about
Examples
- ，难以启齿。Zhè jiàn shì shízài tài diūliǎn le, wǒ nán.This matter is really too embarrassing; I find it hard to speak about it.
- ，难以启齿。Guānyú nà bǐ qián de qùxiàng, tā yìzhí nán.Regarding where that money went, he has always found it hard to talk about it.
- 难以启齿，。Tā yǒu yìxiē nán de yǐnsī, wǒmen bùbì zhuīwèn.He has some private matters that are hard to speak about; we don't need to press.
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